End Mill Type ?

Hey all, still really enjoying the Mini Mill, but the more I use it, the more questions rattle around.
On the subject of End Mills, the only ones I have at the moment are HSS Center Cutting.
What is the correct method of getting optimum performance from this type of End Mill.

Is it better to drill a hole (using a drill bit), then use a non- center cutting End Mill, to just cut side ways.

Reason I ask, is that the center cutting end mills don't seem to drill so great (without complaining). Side ways cuts are fine though.

Hey all, still really enjoying the Mini Mill, but the more I use it, the more questions rattle around.
On the subject of End Mills, the only ones I have at the moment are HSS Center Cutting.
What is the correct method of getting optimum performance from this type of End Mill.

Is it better to drill a hole (using a drill bit), then use a non- center cutting End Mill, to just cut side ways.

Reason I ask, is that the center cutting end mills don't seem to drill so great (without complaining). Side ways cuts are fine though.

First thing. There's a tool for everything when it comes to machining. I dont know a lot about machining but I'm always finding about some other tool that is used for this or that. What you described will work. It also depends on how much it bothers you to swap from from the drill chuck back to the collet. Plunging with a center cutting end mill doesn't always work the greatest, though, especially if the end is dull. Sometimes I'll use some cutting fluid to help plunge with a center cutting end mill. In many cases you'll have to use the center cutting end mill to achieve the cuts you want without using a drill bit. Yes, the non-center cutting end mills are generally used for cutting on the sides of the end mill, or roughing out an area.

Thanks. Not a bother to drill before Milling, thought I might save a step, seeing as the little starter kit End Mills had the capability of drilling down.
Think I'll go ahead and order up some plain , non centre cutting End Mills.

1948, where are you ordering end mills? I generally use enco, stay away from the cheapest end mills because you generally get LESS than you pay for. Also find a tool sharpener company in your area to resharpen your decent end mills.
I experienced a vast improvement in tool life by switching from sulpher oil to a coolant flood.
You can do a coolant flood cheap by getting a pan from an HVAC company ($18), a cheap walmart aquarium pump ($12), some vinyl tube, a cheap boat bulkhead ($5) and a spare 5 gallon bucket. this modest investment tripled/quadrupled my tool life and increased the load I could put on my mills.

As for the center cutting a machinist told me they work to drill but drilling is for drills. I usually buy centercutting so if I need it I have it, usually they are practically the same price as noncenter cutting

The little set of End Mills came from Little Machine shop.com (Chinese). They seem fine apart from the "groaning "noise during the plunge/drill cycle prior to the sideway cut.
I've ordered some from ENCO and some from Wholesale Tool.

For Lubrication, presently using a straight mineral cutting/broaching oil. Applied manually and keeping it wet.

You can plung with a center cutting end mill but they are not designed for drilling. The chip clearances are wrong. They are fine for shallow plunging but if you try and drill to deep you'll bust them. Even when pocket milling it's better to ramp down. Then again I have drilled a hell of a lot of holes with end mills to save tool changes. they just don't last as long.